I wonder...

[becky11]

Is it wrong to ask a doctor to test for a particular disease/condition in my child?  This constipation thing is not improving, and we had another severe bout today (although the suppository did help, it was still bad).  Everything I'm reading tells me she could have Hirschprung's Disease, and while I of course do NOT want her to have ANY disease,

Comments

[nakedjester]

if it's an ongoing condition that hasn't been treated properly, yes you should ask and openly discuss your fears with your doctor/specialist. I would say if she had constipation for a week and you asked, then you would be overreacting, but given the scenario you describe I don't see a reason to politely express your concerns.

In either case, good luck, I hope this mystery gets solved sooner than later.

[jenxteen]

Does it run in your family? All the women have always been like that in mine (sorry, TMI?). It could be bad but could just be how she is.

[becky11]

Well, I'm told I was that way when I was a baby, but I don't know about anyone else in mine (or the sperm donor's) family.

But even if that's "just how she is", is it wrong for me to want to test them for this other thing, just to rule it out?

[jenxteen]

I understand and it could be worth following up on. And it may never go away.

[letters_to_ed]

I think it's worth discussing with the doctor. He/she may want to understand the history before running a test, but it's definitely worth bringing it up.

I'm not sure how Dave's insurance plan works, but you may have to go to a pediatrician first before you can go to a specialist.

Good luck!

[letters_to_ed]

I would get a referral to a pediatric gastroenterologist and talk to them about ALL possible issues. Chronic constipation is REALLY common in toddlers and usually isn't more serious. Both my kids have been bad poopers. Really. But I have done the specialist route with both of them, if it has been on going then it is time to get a referral to a Peds Gastro.

AW crap (pun intended!)

[chickitychinah]

That was me above, I wasn't logged in!

Re: AW crap (pun intended!)

[becky11]

No prob. She actually HAS seen a pediatric gastroenterologist last summer, but he just said to keep on the Miralax, and we have. But if she misses just one day's dose of it, she backs up like crazy. I just don't FEEL like it's 'normal'. How long did this happen with your kids? She's 3 and potty trained now - I thought we'd be getting past this.

[janesaintclaire]

As someone who RELIGIOUSLY watches "Mystery Diagnosis" on Discovery Health I tell you to immediately make an appointment with another doctor. I wouldn't necessarily ask when you make the appointment for her to be tested, but I would express concern that the symptoms are not clearing and you fear that your primary doctor is perhaps overlooking something and dismissing her problems. Most likely she's fine. But you're right - if something is wrong an earlier treatment is better than a delayed treatment with any disease. So often I watch things on there where parents' concerns are dismissed by explaining away "normal" symptoms as normal. I don't think it is right when any child is on stool softeners from birth. But even if it were normal, the fact remains that the explanation of why it is normal has still not left you confident in your doctor's treatment of your doctor, and that is a problem.

[bnladylara]

you are her mother.

you are concerned.

do what you need to do! you are not an overacting mother - you are a caring concerned mother! if you have the instinct that something is wrong - something is wrong!

i hear ya about not going back to the clinic. i'm with chickety - get a gastro peds referal.. sucks you have to go to the clinic to get it - but BE THAT MOM! go in KNOWING you are in want of the referral and be done.

there is NOTHING wrong with bringing in a printout on this disease and doing your own research. NOTHING at all.